The Alternates - An RPing Temp Agency

The new Event Moderators are bringing something back into the game that has long been missing. Dynamic events. But the responsibility is not theirs alone in this matter, and as efforts like the Trinsic Invasion currently being planned on LS attest, there IS something we can do about this. However, planning events and quests is very difficult work, and it is common to see a high degree of burn out in event coordinators as they attempt to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together. I have experienced this first hand, and instead of burying my fellow community leaders in small bit parts for my quests, I took to recruiting players from others shard using the irc.stratics.com network. For me, this worked wonderfully, as I could pull together a good group of players, outfit them with whatever gear and background information they needed, and concentrate on actually running the main characters. With their help, I was able to populate entire towns with “player” townsfolk, field rival orc bands for pvp events, and more. But as I read of some of the player’s from other shards who are making characters to participate in the LS Trinsic Invasion, my mind questions… why couldn’t we make this a tactic that everyone could use? So here is my idea to do exactly that…

<center></center>:: Introduction ::

The goal is to create a loose organization of players from EVERY shard who are willing to help play bit characters, townsfolk, quest characters, fortune tellers, pirates, orcs, savages, whatever is needed. Our main purpose is not to be a Seer like organization, actually running events on all the shards, but rather an enabler for existing organizations to field large groups of players for their own events. In short, I see it as a RolePlaying/Event Temp Service. You need bodies? We have bodies.

:: How it Works ::

Members in the Alternates generally do not provide backup for their own shards. Instead, they use their open character slots on OTHER shards to create characters as needed for specific events and quests. If a member has open slots on their own shard, then they are welcome to use them as well, but out goal is to make full use of our empty character slots by solidifying a group of players cross shard to work together for everyone’s benefit. Members of the Alternates can certainly make use of the resources for their own shard as well, and in fact we expect that MOST potential members will make use of the program from both sides. They will provide support for other’s quests just as they are running their own.

Nobody is on a schedule, but if you RSVP to participate in an event we would certainly appreciate if you showed up to do so. We will be building specific tools to send reminders of events you have signed up for, so most of this should be relatively simple.

Almost any type of player could be useful in something like this, from Rpers, PvMers, PvPers, even Crafters. There is no telling what type of events or quests we might get called for, so having a rich and diverse background would be very helpful. I would expect that we will likely see most of our calls seperate into two categories:

1. RPing characters.
2. Bad/Good Guy Canon Fodder.

Since all of these characters are basically newbies, it isn't like we would give much of a fight. For some of you dedicated PvPers, you might look at it as an interesting challenge. Can my newbie Warrior kill someone else? *chuckles*

:: Joining the Alternates ::

Joining, for now, is just a concept. If the idea is favorably received and we get about 50 people who are willing to sign on (which we will gauge by replies to this thread), then I will make a set of forums specially for the Alternates on their own web site. To join, you would simply register an account on the forums and fill in your contact information. ICQ, Yahoo, AIM, MSN, email, etc. With that information, we will be able to send out reminder notices for upcoming events, as well as having an internal calendar for staff use to show what we are doing, where, and who is needed. All in all, it is a relatively simplistic production.

Each shard will have an Alternates stone, for use in Trammel/Malas oriented PvP conflicts. Wars will be declared on this stone ONLY for the night of the event, so as to prevent misunderstandings. I am not really certain how much threat a guild of newbie characters would be to anyone anyways, but better safe then sorry! *chuckles*

:: Using the Alternates ::

To use the alternates, all you would need is an idea, equipment for our people, and means to provide transportation to the event. Bringing us home afterwards is not needed unless you plan to run multiple events with the same bit characters. You would write up a post on our forums with the necessary information, provide your contact info, and we’d get back to you with what we can help with. It would be that simple.

When a player on shard ____ has a need for some actors from our group, they post on our forum requesting them. They are responsible for providing us with armor, clothing, weaponry, transportation, and scripts (if there are any). If they need people to play specific roles, then they request those as well. For example:
<blockquote><hr>

Sample Alternate Request Post:
We are hosting a guild event on Pacific, Monday, September 08, 2003, at 9pm PST. We need help with a number of roles.

1. Orc Chieftan with lines.
2. Two Orc Lords, with lines.
3. About 10 Orc warriors.
4. One Royal Guard for Lord British (with lines).

PvP is part of the quest, and we plan to kill everyone. We will meet with the Alternates at the Haven Bank and provide gates to our staging area at 8 to 8:30pm PST, where we will equip you and provide you with specific details. For the speaking roles, we can provide your lines ahead of time, if you need them. Email me at [email protected]

Please make all names Orc like, for example “Kaug’ub” and such. If you have any other questions, contact me at [email protected]

<hr></blockquote> From there, members of the Alternates would reply with RSVP’s for the event, show up at the appropriate time, and have some fun doing it!

:: Expanding the Concept ::

This sort of program could easily be extended to HOSTING events and quests on other shards, as well as facilitating them. For now, I am focusing on the enabling aspect, as I feel it would be an easier “Stage 1” operation, but it is entirely likely that we might push the extent of our focus to actively running our own quest &amp; story lines. We’ll see what the future holds.

:: Conclusion ::

And that’s the idea. If you like it, and are willing to dedicate some of your open slots on other shards, please reply to the thread so we can see exactly how much interest there really is. If you have quests or events that could use this sort of aid, feel free to reply with that as well. That is just as important to us.

One last thing, this is still a relatively new concept, and I do not pretend to think it is completely polished. There are bound to be issues that need to be addressed, and as we find them, we will. But it is a good starting point… so let’s get started!

We have three accounts so I'm sure we can also help out as well. One account I am sure is very open on most shards except LS/Sonoma/Siege. The other two have Char's, but most except Siege/LS/Sonoma and couple lone wolfs like Ria on Chessy (GM Warrior) are newbie for xshard trading. So can delete and make new as needed on most shards.

An absolutely fantastic idea Talanithus! I would love to be part of the Alternates, any excuse to RP and take part in an event with new people is more than welcome.

Maybe kicking things off with a well publicised event produced closely with another guild would prove what the Alternates can achieve - draw in some interest from other guilds on the shard (and possibly others). I think its really important that players know how easy it is (or will be) to get event support from the Alternates and that they find the group approachable for whatever their needs might be.

If there's anything I can do to help get things up and running then I'll do all I can! I can't wait to see what can be done /php-bin/shared/images/icons/smile.gif

WOW!!! This sounds like the UO Events council on my home shard of Atlantic. I'd be glad to join this as long as there was also an Alternates focused on Atlantic as well as the other shards. This is one great and well thought out idea!!! WOW!!!

Awesome idea, Tal. I'm not a very creative person as far as rp is concerned. But, count me in! Maybe you can give me a non-talking, bit part. On the other hand, it's really really hard for me not to talk. /php-bin/shared/images/icons/wink.gif

Stratics Veteran

I'd be glad to join this as long as there was also an Alternates focused on Atlantic as well as the other shards.

<hr></blockquote>It's quite plain from reading the proposal that the Alternates are not focused on *any* shard, but are rather a resource for the event creators of various shards to call on. If Atlantic does not call on us, not much we can do.

Excellent idea!!! This is very exciting and I would love to participate!! Please, please, please count me in and thanks very much for the well thought out concept. /php-bin/shared/images/icons/smile.gif

Well, it looks like response is overwhelming positive. Just one day and we have over half my desired "response" votes, so I am proceeding with the development aspect. To keep you all up to date, here are my plans so far:

I spoke with Stratics and asked them if they would be willing to host this project. They have a full plate right now, and are not sure if they can handle something new, but they are looking into it. Personally, I feel that doing it locally here would be the best bet for us to achieve multi-shard access (even if it does make it harder for me... hehe).

However, just in case they say no, I have already begun developing it's own website. If they say yes, I'll use it for something else (there is no end to the projects I have floating around). We should know in a few days, either if we are going to do it here on Stratics or on it's own site.

On the shard front, I have a placed Alternate guild stone on the following shards, at my personal homes (which are conveniently located in the same place in Yew Trammel, near the Justice Shrine, on each shard... so I don't get lost. hehe):

For PvP inclusive events, this will be a neccesity for Trammel/Malas fighting. Which means we will need some people to volunteer to hold the stone on the shards I do NOT have houses on... which are as follows:

* Sonoma* Catskills* Europa* Drachenfells* Oceania* Siege Perilous

If you have a house on of these shards in a NEWBIE safe area, and are willing to either run the shard's ALT stone or let me do it from your place, please contact me at [email protected] so we can discuss the matter in detail.

From there, I'd like to do a few "get to know each other" events to get US familiar with each other. Mainly, orc/savage raids on a few shard settlements who are willing to join in on the fun, and perhaps a quest or two I already have scripts for. Nothing that will require more then an hour or two, but will get us comfortable with the routine of shard hopping, setup, and working together.

To everyone following this thread, please make sure you mark it as a Favorite (it's at the top left of the first post). That way you can be sure you don't miss something important. Once we decide one way or another on where we will be hosted, I will also PM everyone who has responded to give them detailed instructions.

Sounds like a great idea! I'm willing to participate, most slots on all shards except Great Lakes are available. I can create new characters for short or long running scenarios, orcs, pirates, whatever...

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